Tunnel Mountain

Fri 26th Aug. Well our plan to head out to Castle Mountain, got changed as we saw the weather forecast for today - showers developing and rain for tomorrow, so thought tomorrow would be a good museum day and Doug had to go and see the dentist again today to confirm what he wanted done so was probably better to stay closer to Banff, so was lucky to get a site at Tunnel Mountain Campground for the next 2 nights. So we headed into Banff, got the dentist sorted, and an appointment for Monday in Calgary for the x-ray. Back to the information centre for WiFi, and some googling what to do in Calgary - not much. It was now midday and the weather was looking okay so had a look at suitable hikes and decided we would do Sulphur Mountain. This is the Mountain that the Banff gondola goes up ($65 each for gondola). It was a good track, steady uphill with switchbacks, average % grade was about 12%. Once at the top the views over Banff and surrounding mountains were very good, there was also a further 0.5 km boardwalk along the Ridge ending at Sanson Peak, altitude 2277m which was the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and the 1903 weather observatory. As we headed back to the trail to start the walk down, looking to the west and the sky had turned quite black, so we decided to jog down and hopefully beat the rain. About 2.3 km from the end I felt the first drops, pace increase but not enough and it was soon pouring down with thunder and lightning. Doug was well ahead but he also didn't get back in time. Hike stats: 10.33 km, 1 hr 39 total active, 1hr 07 to the top , elevation gain 641 m. It was then head to the campground and spend the rest of the afternoon/evening just chilling. Steps D 20768.Read more